Richer Sounds (Lichfield/Hanley) don't have them in stock anymore (which is odd as they are still JVCs current, entry level model for the foreseeable future, aren't they), no response from emails to Music Matters (Stafford) and there aren't many other Hi Fi stores around as far as I can see.

I'm willing to travel a bit further but is there anywhere I've missed, 'locally'?

Distinguished Member

I think it is unlikely that any dealers locally will stock any JVC projectors for demo as most non specialist a/v projector dealers will probably only carry lower end Optoma/Epson models.

Your best bet is probably from a member who has one who will be prepared to give you a demo of their own machine. Further afield someone like Ideal a/v in Normanton or Roy Jowetts in Colne are probably the only places that may be able to help.

Have you seen an X30 as the X35 is really much the same in image quality so that would give an indication of the type of picture to expect. The X35 has a few tweaks and features that the X30 dosen't.

There is a member in Stafford who may be prepared to let you view his if you asked him if you can't find an X35.

Active Member

Thanks for the reply. I know it sounds a little lame, but it is a long trek to Ideal AV / Roy Jowlett for a demo! (Mind you, not as bad as the trek to Norfolk to pick up my Barco CRT from CRT projectors a few years back - that was a long day!) Although I agree that it is probably my best option.

Only reason I mention Richer Sounds is because I remember seeing one in the store about a year ago (may have been an X30, tbh) and I must admit I was surprised to see it in one of their stores!

I haven't seen any JVCs in action and would be more than grateful for a demo of an X30 if any members were offering (I felt it was a bit cheeky to just come out asking!) And I haven't ruled out an X30 anyway, its just that they seem to sell as soon as they are listed!

Distinguished Member

I will say having seen a couple of AE3000/4000 in the past the JVC X30/35 are a very good step up in image quality in all areas and you should easily be able to judge that once you see one in action.

ebrandrick is the member in Stafford I have been to his place a couple of times as I am only in Wolverhampton myself. I would send him a pm/conversation and ask him if he might give you a demo he is a nice chap so am sure he would oblige.

Distinguished Member

If it's good black levels you want JVC are the black level kings and no one else approaches their inky blacks. That is of course assuming you have a bat cave as I am sure you realise that you can't get exceptional blacks in a room with light coloured walls & ceiling or lots of ambient light.

Active Member

Fortunately we have a pretty dark coloured lounge (my wife hates magnolia!!! Yay!!!) which will also be getting some additional dark curtains to pull troublesome area in the near future.

Before we had kids, we had a dedicated cinema room that was truly a batcave, so I know exactly what you mean. You literally couldn't see your hand in front of your face when a film faded to black. Ace!

Distinguished Member

I have seen most of the JVC models over the last 3-4 years HD350/750 X3/X30/X70/X35/X90 and all had great blacks.

Some of the earlier HD range were not that great with some colours till they were calibrated but they seem to have that cured certainly since the X30's their out the box settings are very good these days and you can usually get away without calibration. The bottom X30/35 don't have a CMS though so a full cal is not possible with those but like I said you most probably would not need it anyway.

The only other thing with JVC's is their lamp life, they have been a bit flaky in the past with premature dimming at 500hrs or so. With the X30 this was also the case but they did release a version 3 of their bulb that seemed to go some way to improving lamp life. The X35 seems to have eradicated the problem and no one seems to have suffered from early dimming since.

Active Member

Just updated my title a bit. If there are any kind forum members in the Staffordshire area who would be willing to give me a quick demo of their JVC X30, I would be very grateful. A demo of 3D on it would be a bonus. I can bring beer/wine as payment for your time.